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Thermostat Housing Bolt Kaput

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by CJMark, Sep 22, 2017.

  1. Sep 22, 2017
    CJMark

    CJMark Jeeper

    Spearfish, SD
    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2014
    Messages:
    102
    Yesterday I enjoyed a nice drive in hills checking out fall colors. When I got back I notice small amount of antifreeze below thermostat housing, not the first time I’ve seen this. Upper rad hose replaced last spring so I know that’s good. So today I get the $1.79 gasket from NAPA. Dang bolt head twisted off.

    Neighbor, who I trust and respect his 73 years of automotive experience, wants to heat the bolt red hot and melt candle wax around it, and if there’s enough bolt, work it back and forth with vise grip. I’m thinking yank manifold drill and extract.

    Funny how a one hour repair will now take a day to fix. I also know somewhere, somebody is dealing with a far bigger problem than I have. The joys of working on these old Jeeps.
    Mark
    [​IMG]

    It was a good day for jeeping.
    [​IMG]
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  2. Sep 22, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
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    12,367
    I believe that guys on here have done the candle wax trick.
     
  3. Sep 22, 2017
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    yup the wax trick works well
     
  4. Sep 23, 2017
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    x2 on heat and wax . have birthday candles just for that
     
  5. Sep 23, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    6,656
    Just for kicks, gingerly try the vicegrips without the heat and wax first. There's a chance the bond is in the dissimilar metals of the thermostat housing and the bolt. Once you get the housing off, there may not be that much more holding the bolt in.
     
  6. Sep 23, 2017
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    966
    I have had success if there is part of the bolt sticking out putting a nut on it and welding it to the bolt,let it cool and gently start wiggling back and forth,as ITLKSEZ said may not be that much holding it.
     
    Bowbender likes this.
  7. Sep 23, 2017
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    Nov 27, 2006
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    2,793
    pull the bolt on the opposite side, and remove the housing. Then you have plenty of old bolt to grab with vice grips.
     
  8. Sep 23, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    (y) Exactly what worked for me the last time. Got lucky!
     
  9. Jun 29, 2018
    CJMark

    CJMark Jeeper

    Spearfish, SD
    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2014
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    I’m a believer in using candle wax to free stuck bolts. After working on and driving the ‘46 2A last 8 months moved it out for paint and brought the ‘71 in garage to finally fix that thermostat housing gasket. Invited the 74 year old chain smoking neighbor over, made his and my day.

    The second bolt was frozen solid too, heated manifold, melted wax around head, came right out. Once housing off did the broken off one, easy fix using wax.

     
    Hellion, Bowbender, ojgrsoi and 2 others like this.
  10. Jun 30, 2018
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,170
    Listen to some of the old-timers, they know what they're talking about! Actually, you got lucky as the wax trick works best for bolts siezed in iron rather than aluminum.
    Glad you were successful!
    -Donny
     
    Mcruff likes this.
  11. Jun 30, 2018
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
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    “Blow that sucker out. Don’t like that flame next to the carb.” LOL
     
  12. Jul 3, 2018
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    But the bolt was seized in iron, the intake manifold.
     
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